Greener Lands

In their tattered and filthy state it was a miracle that the border patrol didn’t decide to shoot them on sight. Imagining themselves as the walking dead, slowly shuffling towards their victims was almost enough to make Samuel start laughing but he decided it was more prudent to hold back and at least attempt to salvage their first impression with the people that might decide their fates.

Even though they weren’t attacked outright, the soldiers still stood at attention with their weapons drawn and waited for them to come closer.

“Let me do the talking,” Madoc said. Before they had reached the edge of the waste, he had told Samuel to darken his hair with dirt and ash to stand out a bit less. “And remember, don’t stare at them too much. Your eyes are a bit weird for Bryntirians.”

“Hold it,” one of the soldiers said and they obeyed. “Who goes there?” His somewhat ornate armour distinguished him from the rest as their leader.

“We’ve escaped from a Cyrhil encampment,” Madoc explained. “We were held there for a long time.”

“All right. I will still have to check for the brands. Put any weapons on the ground and your hands behind your head.” He shrunk back a little when he noticed that Samuel only had one hand but only for a short moment. A steel mask of neutrality replaced it and stayed there.

He nodded to one of his companions, who was carrying a large staff instead of a bow or bladed weapons as the rest had. Both of his hands were covered by black gloves. He came closer with a bored expression. At the sight of Samuel’s missing hand he just shook his head. He nearly reached them, when he suddenly jumped back and lifted his staff. Both Madoc and Samuel were knocked to the ground and the rest of the guards drew their bows and prepared their weapons.

“What?” Samuel gasped. The force pushing down on his chest prevented him from saying anything more and made it hard to even breathe.

“What is it?” the leader asked.

“They’re magic users. Maybe wizards, potentially warlocks,” the wizard responded. The leader nodded and it looked like the answer hadn’t surprised him.

“Don’t resist,” he told them in a calm voice. “I told you to lay down your weapons. That obviously includes any magical artefact or magical abilities in general. We can pretend you didn’t know any better if you’re so kind as to point out what exactly you’ve bound to yourselves.”

The pressure on them eased a little and Samuel moved his head to look at Madoc, who just nodded. With a slow and careful gesture he lifted his hand presented the ring he was still wearing. He would’ve pointed to it if he had the other hand. Two soldiers were sent to collect the items and they were allowed to get back to their feet.

“Are they clear now?” the leader asked.

The wizard came closer once more. First he stopped in front of Madoc and there was a tension in the air. After a minute he went over to Samuel. He stared straight at him and power radiated from him. His distrustful scowl lingered for a while. Don’t think about the amulet.

“Clear,” he said and stepped away.

“Great,” the leader said and waved to the rest of the soldiers, who put away the weapons. The bows hadn’t been drawn for a while already but now even the arrows were put away. “First, let’s see about these.” He took the two rings and together with the wizard they analysed them. The wizard whispered something. “Incredible. We need to take these to the Academy.”

“Wait. Those are ours,” Madoc protested. Samuel was just glad he hadn’t used the necklace yet. It occupied his thoughts so that he hadn’t spoken before Madoc.

“Is that so?” the leader asked. “And how exactly did you come by them?” That shut Madoc up. “That’s what I thought. They’ll be studied at the Academy and who knows, depending on their ruling they might even give them back. Great find boys. Now let’s continue with our original task.”

Once again the wizard came closer and with a metallic screech, both of their collars snapped and fell to the ground. They had been in place for so long that Samuel had almost got used to the constant weight. He rolled his neck and shoulders then felt at the hardened and darkened skin that was free at last.

“No sign,” the wizard reported.

“I see, so not exiled criminals,” the leader said. “At least not officially.” He glowered at them. “Tell me. Where are you two boys headed?”

Samuel looked at Madoc, who cleared his throat. He seemed to be annoyed but was trying to hide it. Perhaps only Samuel could see it since he knew him well enough. “We’re going to Tanwyth.” He tried to make his clenched teeth look like a smile.

“I see, off to the Academy?”

“That’s the plan.”

“Well that’s all right then. They’ll beat some sense into the pair of you. Isn’t that right Ivor?” the leader asked and the wizard Ivor grunted in response. Then the leader nodded to Samuel. “Why isn’t he talking?”

In a panic, Samuel tried responding according to the story they had cooked up but only managed a small croak from his dry throat.

“Please excuse my cousin,” Madoc said. “The time in captivity was very hard on him. Not to mention losing his good hand. It can be a little hard for him to speak up lately.”

“I see,” the leader said. “Poor bastard,” he muttered to himself. “Anyway, I expect the journey will get a bit easier for you two from now on, but still be on the lookout for bandits and wild beasts. Even if they are not as scary or dangerous as the ones you have faced recently, a dagger to the throat in your sleep will kill you just the same from a half crippled vagrant.”

“Thank you for your concern,” Madoc said. “I think we should be on our way now.”

“Not so fast,” the leader said.

Oh no. We’ve been had. There wasn’t anything they could do, they had no weapons, no magic and wouldn’t be even able to outrun the well rested soldiers.

“Stop by our outpost. We’ll get you some food and water. You look terrible. After that you can be on your way. And tell those guys at the Academy that Haul sent you.”

They were escorted by one of the soldiers to a wooden shack. The food was nothing special, some rations, gruel and game meat. It was the most delicious thing Samuel had ever tasted. He felt tears pouring down his face as he stuffed the food in his mouth.

Only the jagged broken mountains were visible when he looked back to the wasteland. Their path, a real paved road guided them through lush forests and meadows, and along pure rivers and lakes. Most importantly, there was the Sun. Its heat like a warm embrace and the light making everything look sharp. As bright and cheerful as the situation seemed to be, a dark cloud hung over their mood. The loss of their magic was madding to Samuel and he could tell that Madoc felt much the same.

Samuel patted the pocket that still held the necklace. He hated losing the ring but he was sure the necklace was at least as powerful if not more. Still, he didn’t dare to show the amulet or use it just yet. I’m not sure what Madoc would do but more importantly, there is no doubt they would take it away at the Academy just as the Haul and Ivor took away the rings. I’ll have to figure something out. What the best course of action would be was hard to say, he just knew that the Academy held the answers. It might be a long time until I can use this.

They made their way through the forests to a cultivated land. Fields of golden wheat stretched out far with a couple of people working in the fields. They followed the road to a small village. It was a small cluster of single storey wattle and daub houses covered by thick straw roofs, and even smaller wooden shacks. There were also some isolated houses beyond the first fields. They were not accosted as they moved among the houses though they were catching several suspicious glances from the passers-by. At the crossroads at the centre of the village they came upon the largest building in the village.

“I thought I’d never see an alehouse again,” Madoc said with a sigh. “Truly a pinnacle of creation.”

“Do you have any money?” Samuel asked.

Madoc’s face darkened. “Of course I don’t. I was a prisoner far longer than you.” He took a moment to calm down. “Let’s try our luck anyway.”

They entered the alehouse and were treated to mutters and discontented glares. At first the taverner wanted to kick them out and only relented after seeing Samuel’s condition. In the end he agreed to allow them to work for food and a chance to sleep in a barn.

“Doesn’t it bother you?” Madoc asked.

“Hm?”

“That they took our power. I can hardly hold back my anger. If I wasn’t so used to suffering I’d just go around trying to hit everything in my path. Just thinking about it makes my blood boil.”

“Of course it bothers me.” It was no lie. He had experienced much the same emotions. However, there was something more. His hand itched with the wish to embrace the final artefact that he still hid. “I just keep my mind on the Academy. I can’t even imagine what it looks like but surely they will somehow give us the power once more. Probably not the same rings but something at least.”

“Yeah, right,” Madoc replied in a dismissive tone.

“Wait, what’s that?” Samuel whispered. There was a noise coming from outside. Together they sneaked to the barn door and peeked through the cracks. A small mob was moving through the street.

At their head was a small group surrounding a single person, who was struggling and making strange sounds of protest and exertion.

“You should’ve brought him to us earlier,” one of them said.

“He was always such a good boy. He always helped everyone,” another replied following the main group. “I thought he would get better.”

“You are a foolish woman. We’re lucky nobody has been hurt so far. Otherwise you would also be answering for his actions.”

“Stop it. You know she meant nothing bad by it.”

All the while their captive kept resisting, though there was no outright violence. They were only able to get a good look at him as they passed near to the barn. The young man had a scarred face and when his head whipped around, a horn protruded from the side of his head. They could only stare at the peculiar procession. Even without confirming with each other, they knew neither had any wish to intervene in the affair. They weren’t even sure what they would do if they did. The mob disappeared behind the alehouse. Without a word, they went back to their improvised straw beds.

On the next day nothing looked out of place and they left the village after a hearty breakfast and some more manual labour.

Samuel looked over his shoulder as they left. “I’m glad to leave this place behind. It’s not right.” Madoc just grumbled.